National University of Ireland, Galway - 2018-19 University of Richmond Exchange Program
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National University of Ireland,
Galway
2018-19
University of Richmond Exchange Program
*Most of this information in this handbook
has been copied from this website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/studyabroad.html.
.Table of Contents
CONTACT NAMES and IMPORTANT NUMBERS……………….3
IMMIGRATION……………………………………………………….4
ARRIVAL………………………………………………………………5
HEALTH CARE……………………………………………………….7
INSURANCE…………………………………………………………..7
CDC……………………………………………………………………..8
SAFETY………………………………………………………………...8
BANKING…………………………………………………………….10
COSTS………………………………………………………………...11
HOUSING…………………………………………………………......13
FOOD………………………………………………………………….15
DATES………………………………………………………………...15
CLASSES……………………………………………………………..15
REGISTRATION…………………………………………………….17
COMPUTING SERVICES AND E-MAIL………….........................18
MOBILE PHONES………………………………………………….18
WEATHER……………………………………………………………18
WORK IN IRELAND……..…………………………………………18
TRAVEL INFORMATION………………………………………….19
SUGGESTED READING……………………………………………20
This document represents the most accurate information available at the time of
publication. Statements contained herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or
other representations that are inconsistent with or not contained within the document
are not binding. The University of Richmond reserves the right to change without
specific notice programs and the conditions under which they are offered.
Students must be aware that not all circumstances are predictable and that one must
take self-responsibility very seriously. The University, its agents, and employees cannot
be held responsible for the actions of the host institution or of the student.
Please read this carefully and share this with your parents.
2CONTACT NAMES and IMPORTANT NUMBERS
University of Richmond
Ms. Amy S. Bergmann, Study Abroad Advisor
Office of International Education
Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8817 (work) or (804) 233-7313 (home)
Fax: (804) 289-8904
E-mail: abergman@richmond.edu
WWW: http://studyabroad.richmond.edu/
NUI-Galway
Dr. Cyril Reddington, primary contact for UR students
International Affairs Office
Phone: +(353-91) 524-411
Fax: +(353-91) 495-551
E-mail: studyabroad@nuigalway.ie
Ms. Louise Kelly, International Student Officer
International Affairs Office
Phone: +011- (353-91) 495-277
E-mail: studyabroad@nuigalway.ie
Cuirt na Coiribe Village, Housing Option
Ms. Olga O’Reilly, Student Coordinator
Phone: + 353 (0) 91-700700
Fax: + 353 (0) 91-700790
E-mail: olga@cuirtnacoiribe.com
Web: www.cuirtnacoiribe.com
Most of the information you need is available on the web at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/ (scroll to the “Before you arrive”
section).
3IMMIGRATION
Students must have a valid U.S. passport and a letter of admission from the exchange
institution to present to immigration officials upon arrival to Ireland. Do not pack these
items in your luggage, and do not enter the country as a tourist. You will want to
indicate that you are entering the country for studies. You should be sure to have
financial documentation to show that you can support yourself during your studies (see
below for exact requirements). Make sure that the immigration officer properly stamps
your passport upon entering the Republic of Ireland. Those entering through Northern
Ireland are not subject to border control but must present themselves at the Garda
National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) within 7 days to have their passport stamped.
If you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, Mexico, or the European Union
you do not need to apply in advance for a visa to study in Ireland. Citizens of other
countries should double-check whether or not they need a visa by checking the Ireland
Department of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland/.
Visiting students are required, however, to register with the Garda National
Immigration Bureau (GNIB) soon after arrival overseas (within 30 days), and there is a
fee for doing this (300 Euro at time of publication). This fee is reimbursable by the UR
Office of International Education, so please remember to save your receipt and submit it
to the OIE within 60 days for reimbursement. The Immigration Service provides a
registration opportunity at the University and you will be informed of the dates and
venues on which the service is available as part of the Orientation Program. For more
information see Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service--INIS.
For registration you will need:
Completed immigration form (available at orientation in Galway)
Original letter of offer from Galway
Valid passport that will not expire while you are overseas
Student Identity Card (presented to students after arrival at Galway)
Evidence of financial support (see full details below)
Letter from U. of Richmond certifying insurance coverage and exchange status
(this proves you do not need to pay Galway tuition since you pay Richmond
tuition while abroad); students should also print the insurance card provided by
Richmond – this can be printed from your account in Gateway Abroad (see the
IECL section – “Insurance/Emergency Cards & Letters”)
Proof of address in Galway (e.g., utility bill or a letter from your landlord/student
residence, indicating your address)
4For further detail regarding the evidence of financial support, see below.
Evidence of Financial Support:
Option 1: Provide two original bank statements in the student’s name (as
written in the passport), one dated no more than one month old, together with a
past statement, PLUS a debit card from the same account to show you have
access to those funds.
Option 2: Students who receive scholarship/financial aid support may
show a letter from the sponsoring body/university confirming financial status.
You may request a Fund Certification Letter from the UR Financial Aid Office.
Option 3: Students could choose instead show a pre-paid credit/debit
card with the required minimum funds, but you would have to be very careful not
to lose this card.
Important Notes: Regardless of which option you select, you must show
€500 per month or €3,000 (whichever is lesser) is available to the student. In
general, copies and printouts from online accounts will not be accepted.
If you are planning on staying in Ireland for longer than your period of study, or if you
are interested in working and/or living in Ireland, please go to the Irish embassy’s web
page http://www.embassyofireland.org.
Age Card (if desired to have another proof of ID in Ireland—this is optional)
Applicants can now order and pay for an Age Card online at www.agecard.ie. Once you
open the website, go to the “Apply Now” tab at the top of the screen. Fill in your details
and select your method of payment. You may use a credit/debit card or an Age Card
Voucher (these can be purchased at any Post Office in Ireland).
The appropriate form will be sent to you, which you must bring to your local Garda
Station to sign/submit. You must also bring a passport photo and other documentation.
The completed Age Card will then be sent to you by Post within approximately two
weeks. Students should be issued a registration card as part of their immigration
registration process, and this card together with the certified copy of the passport should
be sufficient as proof of identification in Galway.
ARRIVAL
The major airports in Ireland are at Dublin (on the East Coast, approximately 135 miles
from Galway) and Shannon (on the West Coast, approximately 55 miles from Galway).
5Galway also has a smaller airport approximately 5 miles from the city (this small airport
has no trans-Atlantic flights, but you may be able to take local flights from here).
Dublin to Galway
Dublin airport is on the outskirts of the city. Buses leave Dublin Airport approximately
every 20 minutes for the Central Bus Station (Busáras). Many of these buses continue
to Heuston Railway Station, from which trains for Galway depart. You can also get a
taxi from the airport to the centre of the city but the bus is much cheaper and just as
quick.
To Galway by Train
There is a frequent train service from Dublin (Heuston Station) to Galway (Ceannt
Station). The journey takes approximately two and one half-hours.
To Galway by Bus
There is a regular bus service from the Dublin Central Bus Station (Busáras) to Galway.
The journey takes about three hours. Some private bus operators also run scheduled
buses from Dublin Airport to Galway. Contact the information desk at the airport for
further details.
Shannon to Galway
There is a regular bus service from Shannon Airport to Galway. Allow approximately
one and one half hours for the journey.
All train timetables can be accessed on the following WWW address:
http://www.irishrail.ie.
All bus timetables can be accessed on the following WWW address:
http://www.buseireann.ie.
You can avail of a reduced rate for travel on bus and train journeys once you have an
International Student Identity Card with a travelsave stamp.
Arrival in Galway
Upon your arrival at Galway Station there are taxis that can take you to your final
destination. Before your arrival in Galway, it is advisable to arrange temporary
accommodation if long-term accommodation has not already been secured. See the
section on accommodation for further details.
The cost of a taxi from the Galway station to Cuirt na Coiribe (just one of the possible
housing options) is approximately 10-15 Euros. You will need to pay the driver in cash
only, or download an app on your phone, like mytaxi (uber does not exist), to call a taxi
in advance and pay by card.
Important Tip! No matter what your lodging, be sure to look up directions to your
accommodation in advance and keep them in your carry-on luggage. This will help you
6have a much smoother arrival, as you don’t want to be wandering around lost on arrival
(carrying your luggage, no less), so it is important to plan ahead.
HEALTH CARE
A Student Health Service (medical and psychiatric) is provided on campus by
appointment, 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and again from 2:30-4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday,
which is free (for basic service) and completely confidential. There are charges for
some services. Nurses run an emergency triage in the mornings on a first-come, first-
served basis. Referral to other agencies and specialist services is available as
required. Please note that the Student Health Service does not cover the cost of
prescribed medicine, hospitalization, optical, or dental treatment. Students are
therefore advised to have a thorough medical check-up before leaving home. For more
information, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/health_unit/. For weekend and after-hours
emergencies, see link above and scroll down to “emergency hours service.”
Students from countries other than EU countries are required to pay full charges for in-
patient and outpatient services in a public hospital and all charges for doctors' services,
drugs, and medicines. If you then make a claim to the ACE/AXA health insurance
agency (which UR purchases for most students; see below), if the claim is approved
you will be reimbursed for your expenses. See below for details (“Insurance” section).
Telephone no.: 353 91 492604
Emergency telephone no.: 087 262 3997
In serious non-medical emergencies, contact Cyril Reddington in the International Office
at (353-91) 492-105.
INSURANCE
University of Richmond students are automatically enrolled in a health insurance plan
called ACE Travel Assistance (AXA), for which the costs are paid by UR (see
http://international.richmond.edu/semester/health-safety/insurance.html for exclusions
and details). Your insurance card is available to you for download in the
Insurance/Emergency Cards & Letters (IECL) section of your Gateway Abroad online
file. The policy wording, instructions on how to use the insurance, and a claim form are
all online (go to the study abroad website > Health and Safety > Health Insurance). The
study abroad insurance covers you worldwide except in the USA.
7CDC (Center for Disease Control)
Check the following web page for the latest health updates concerning Ireland
(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ireland) or any other locations
where you may travel (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list).
If you plan to travel outside of Western Europe, it is important to check the
CDC’s webpage for information regarding health issues:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
SAFETY
Students should check the U.S. Dept of State Consular Information Sheet for Ireland via
the following webpage
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/ireland.html. In addition,
students should also review the “Background Notes” and Ireland country page on the
State Department website: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/.
The UR Office of International Education also recommends that U.S. students register
with the U.S. Embassy in Ireland (citizens of other countries should check with their
embassy to inquire about a similar service). This makes your presence and
whereabouts known, in case it is necessary for a consular officer to contact you in an
emergency. During a disaster overseas, American consular officers can assist in
evacuation if that becomes necessary, but they cannot assist you if they do not know
where you are. You can register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through
the State Department’s travel registration website: https://step.state.gov/step/. In
accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare or whereabouts may not
be released to inquirers without your expressed written authorizations. Registration
through the website is not considered proof of citizenship.
Remember to also leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport
or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States.
Important safety numbers: The nationwide telephone number for fire, police, and
ambulance is 999. The EU emergency number is 112. This number can be used in all
EU countries.
If leaving campus after dark, avoid poorly lit areas or areas that are not frequented by
the public. A Campus Watch Service operates on the University and its objective is to
make NUI, Galway a safer place in which to study, live, and work. If you notice anything
suspicious contact Security staff at extension 2678 or 3333 (full number 091 – 492678
or 091-493333; the latter is available 24 hours/day).
8Safety is always a concern when visiting a new country. Fortunately, Ireland has
comparatively low rates of crime (though urban areas do have higher rates than more
rural areas). Despite this, you should not become complacent. Keeping safe and out of
trouble requires common sense and awareness of your surroundings. Take the chance
to talk to local students and take heed of any advice they can offer. For example,
students in all housing locations are advised to lock windows and doors even when they
are inside to reduce the likelihood of burglary or home invasion robbery.
Pickpockets may target tourists, so you should try and look as much like a local as
possible to blend into your surroundings. For example, planning your travel routes in
advance saves looking at maps and drawing attention to you. Always keep an eye on
your belongings, especially in crowded places such as in market areas and on subways
and buses. Make sure you are careful when withdrawing money from ATMs; it is
always advisable not to withdraw large amounts of money and to make sure you have
stored it away safely before leaving the machine. Tip! There is an ATM on NUI Galway
campus in the Arts and Sciences building, which may be a safer place to withdraw
money than in town.
Ireland’s public transport system is considered relatively safe, although late at night you
may feel more comfortable by traveling in groups. If at any time you feel uneasy about
other passengers, consider moving to the next carriage at the next stop or to the front of
the bus. If you are traveling very late at night you may want to consider taking a taxi. If
you encounter poorly lit areas it may be best to avoid them unless you are very familiar
with the area.
Alcohol Use and Laws
Pubs are a major aspect of Irish student life but it should be noted that the effects of
alcohol consumption do raise safety issues. The lower legal age of drinking in Ireland
means local students may be more used to drinking larger amounts, so moderation
should be encouraged. Remember, beer in Europe and Ireland has much higher
alcohol content. Don’t feel pressured to drink in excess!
Students are advised to leave the pubs before closing time since sometimes fights may
ensue when the pubs close. Operate on a buddy system and do not leave without a
friend(s) and do not leave your friend(s) behind when you leave. It is wise not to travel
home alone when intoxicated, as you could become an easy target for thieves; again
this is where common-sense plays a great part. As a visiting student, you shouldn’t be
driving, but if you make a local friend who drives, remember that drunk-driving laws are
very strict in Ireland, so make sure these laws are obeyed and do not get in a vehicle
with anyone who has been drinking.
Drug Use and Laws
According to the U.S. Dept. of State, Ireland continues to play a relatively small role in
international drug trafficking. However, drug abuse is on the rise, especially among
adolescents and teenagers. From heroin to marijuana to ecstasy, so-called
9“recreational drug use,” particularly among club-goers, is a problem. When clubs and
night spots close, there are often problems with the resultant foot and vehicular traffic
on the streets. Petty crimes (theft, robberies, etc.) may be committed by drug-users to
support their habit. According to the World Factbook of Criminal Justice Systems, in
Ireland the “[p]roduction, supply, possession, possession with intent to supply, and
offenses related to the importation and exportation of controlled drugs are illegal.” Do
not turn your study abroad experience into a nightmare—do not participate in drug
activity of any kind.
Fire/Natural Gas
Students need to be aware of safety in their residence. As one would do in the U.S., be
sure to locate the nearest fire escape route and know the phone numbers of emergency
services in case they are needed. It is a good idea to take a battery operated smoke
detector with you abroad since many buildings are older and may not have smoke
detectors or sprinkler systems in place. See this website to learn more about fire safety
abroad: http://www.firesafetyfoundation.org/.
As in the U.S., natural gas may be used to provide heat as well as to provide hot water.
Be aware of the heating situation provided by your host institution and host residence.
For locations where carbon monoxide-producing appliances may be present - i.e., any
appliance that burns fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal – be sure to ask
for detailed information on usage of these appliances in order to prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning. For further information, please visit the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) website at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html.
BANKING
● Bank of Ireland, National University of Ireland, Galway
Code No. 904018 Intl. Tel. No. +353 91 524555, Fax No. +353 91 520973
● Allied Irish Bank, Distillery Road, Newcastle, Galway
Code No. 937436 Intl. Tel. No. +353 91 524466, Fax No. +353 91 524095
● Ulster Bank, Newcastle Road, Galway
Code No. 985753 Intl. Tel. No. +353 91 529013, Fax No. +353 91 529015
To open a bank account you typically need your passport, NUI-Galway student
identification card, and a letter from the NUI-Galway Int’l Office verifying your home
address in the States and your local Galway address (you can get this after arrival).
If you wish to open an account in one of these banks prior to arrival, your own bank may
be able to facilitate this. It can take up to two weeks for the international transfer of
money through the banking system. You should therefore allow for delays of this
duration when deciding how much currency to bring with you in order to meet your initial
expenses in the first few weeks after arrival.
10Ireland places no limit on the amount of money that you may bring into the country in
local currency or foreign currency notes, traveler’s cheques, banker's drafts, or letter of
credit, but you may need the approval of exchange control in your own country for any
transfer of funds. Immediately on arrival you will certainly require an amount of cash to
cover such expenses as train, bus, and taxi fares, overnight accommodation, and
meals. It is advisable to have about €200-500 in cash (some may prefer traveler’s
cheques, but these are not used as often due to the fees charged). You may order this
foreign currency at your own local bank (for a small fee), but you are advised to place
your order well in advance of your departure date because the process can take
between several days and several weeks, depending upon the availability of the
currency. You may also withdraw money upon arrival at an ATM in the airport.
Most banks in Galway provide Bureau de Change and Traveler’s Cheque facilities.
There are also Bureau de Change at Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport. Banks are
typically open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and until 5 p.m. on Thursday.
● All Irish banks will change foreign currency and travelers checks and provide a full
range of services.
● You may be able to get a debit card from your bank; generally purchases with this
card have a minimum charge.
● Visa and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted throughout Europe, the UK,
and Ireland. However, one must remember that your bill will be sent to the U.S.
and arrangements must be made to pay it in the U.S. Most purchases have a
minimum amount that must be charged. Some merchants may charge an extra
fee for using a credit card.
COSTS
Students pay to Richmond the current University of Richmond tuition.
Payment of these fees includes:
✓ Advising and orientation
✓ Tuition fees at NUI, Galway
✓ Application fees, if applicable
✓ ACE Travel Assistance (AXA) health insurance policy for study abroad
✓ Immigration registration fees (reimbursable with receipt)
✓ $600 travel allowance, plus other reimbursements
(http://international.richmond.edu/semester/finances/index.html)
Does not include:
✓ Housing, including deposits and utilities
11✓ Food
✓ General start-up costs for linen, kitchen utensils, telephone connection,
and bills
✓ Books, school supplies
✓ Club fees
✓ Personal expenses
✓ Travel expenses (beyond travel allowance listed above)
✓ Medical expenses not deemed reimbursable/allowable through ACE/AXA
insurance policy
For specific cost information and estimates, check the “Dates and Costs” pop-up
window on the Galway brochure page of the Office of International Education web site:
http://studyabroad.richmond.edu/.
The estimated study abroad costs listed on the web are intended only as a guideline for
the student, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), and, with regard to eligible students,
the undergraduate financial aid counseling staff of the Office of Financial Aid. Aided
students must not assume that their revised off-campus budgets will necessarily
correspond exactly to the estimates provided on the web and should consult their
assigned financial aid counselor to discuss their need and the expense categories
covered by aid.
The cost of a semester or full year of study abroad is chiefly affected by the individual
student’s budgetary habits and the fluctuations of currency exchange rates against the
dollar. Students have different lifestyles as well as different personal resources and
must adapt their standards of living abroad accordingly. Therefore, the bottom line of
each student’s actual expenditures abroad may be different, but all students should
approach the prospect of living abroad with maturity and a sense of financial
responsibility.
Cost estimates have been established on the basis of the most recent information
available to the staff of the Office of International Education concerning the current cost
of living in the program site. Costs may be listed in the foreign currency, in which case
current conversion rates can be found on the following web site http://www.xe.com/ucc/.
Students and parents must bear in mind that the fluctuation of international exchange
rates may at any time have an impact on the financial needs of a participant. In the
event of unexpected hardship due to dramatic fluctuation in exchange rates, the Office
of Financial Aid may be able to offer additional loan assistance to financially aided
students upon direct written request. Such a request must include fairly accurate
evidence of increased monthly expenses and a letter of support from the resident
program director or officer of the host university attesting to the revised circumstances.
The estimates for listed expense categories should be considered as adequate to cover
normal predictable expenses and not as bare minimums. Often, students can reduce
12costs by as much as 10-15% in some categories as they learn where to find local
student-priced bargains. Pre-departure expenses for clothing, gear, etc. and expenses
related to personal weekend or vacation travel are the responsibility of the student.
Note: Travel allowances, reimbursements, health insurance premiums, and other
payments above tuition costs paid by Richmond on behalf of its semester/year abroad
students are available only to Richmond degree-seeking students accepted to
participate on UR-affiliated abroad programs.
HOUSING
NUI, Galway does not have university-owned accommodation. There is a full-time
director of accommodation at NUI-Galway, however, who assists students in locating
housing and in negotiating leases. Students have a variety of housing options.
Students have the option of living in residence facilities near campus such as Corrib
Village or in a flat or other accommodation off-campus such as Niland House or Cuirt na
Coiribe (or others).
Residences usually provide basic amenities and are fully furnished. Most students live
in flats and cook for themselves. Students should bring (or plan to purchase while
abroad) towels, pillows, kitchen utensils, and bed linens (varies somewhat by housing).
The commute to class depends on the location of accommodation and classes, but is
usually 10 to 20 minutes by foot, or 5 to 10 minutes by bus.
Website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/student-life/accommodation/
Contact:
accommodation@nuigalway.ie
Payment for some housing options can be made with a MasterCard or Visa.
There is usually a charge for each transaction. Otherwise students may send a
wire transfer or get a check cut in the foreign currency to send with the
completed application. The UR Office of International Education can fax your
completed housing application and signed lease to the relevant housing unit.
Although many residences in Galway are normally rented for the full academic year,
Richmond students are usually able to find semester-only accommodation.
Important Note: Richmond students who sign a year lease and who cannot find a
spring replacement student may be responsible for paying for the full year’s rent.
Therefore, for students who are studying abroad fall only, it might be a good idea to
recruit another Richmond student (or a student from another university) to Galway for
the spring to avoid paying the spring rent.
13Pre-Book Housing Option
The University of Richmond has developed a pre-booking relationship with Cuirt na
Coiribe, as they have been a popular choice for Richmond students. Shortly after
acceptance, students will be invited to pre-book a room at Cuirt na Coiribe. This is
optional as students are able to book other accommodation if they prefer, but each
semester UR reserves rooms at Cuirt na Coiribe, which is an advantage in a housing
market where accommodation options are tight. For more information on Cuirt na
Coiribe, see http://www.cuirtnacoiribe.com.
Note: Students on exchange to Galway will not receive a CAO number, which you may
see requested on housing forms. Just leave this spot blank, as it is not relevant to your
situation. You should still be able to submit accommodation applications without this
number.
Temporary Accommodation
Students may or may not be able to check into their accommodation early (it depends
on the individual facility). If the student cannot check in to the housing early but wants
to arrive early in Galway, the student may stay in a hotel, hostel, or other temporary
accommodation until the permanent housing is available.
Some temporary housing options:
Budget Accommodation in the City Centre:
Kinlay House {Reservation necessary} *ISIC card holders receive 10% off
*€25 to €30 avg. per person per
Merchants Road,
night
Eyre Square, Galway Email: info@kinlaygalway.ie
Tel:+353 91 565244 Web: http://www.kinlaygalway.ie/
● High Season March to October, Special Events & Bank Holidays
● Alternative: Sleepzone, Bothar na Mbab, Galway Tel: 353-91-566-999,
http://www.sleepzone.ie/galway-sleepzone-home
Youth Hostels
http://www.hostels.com/ie.html
Bed & Breakfast
Dolores & Bernard
Ms. Darry Ryan
O’Connell
'The Ivies' 'The Forge House'
1 Montpelier Terrace, 42 New Road,
Sea Road, Galway Galway City Centre
14Tel.+353 91 583257 Tel: +353 91 561446
Web:
Web: http://www.the-
http://www.theforgehou
ivies.com/
se.com/
Estimate: €25 to €50 per night
FOOD
Most accommodations are “self-catered,” which means students prepare their own
meals. Expenses are estimated to be approximately 280 Euros per month for food.
Students on a budget should try to shop for groceries at larger supermarkets and make
their meals. Students who choose to eat at restaurants or those who shop at expensive
corner mini-marts should budget an extra amount.
DATES
Specific ending dates for each semester depend on the exam schedule of a student's
particular schedule. Students are advised to book return flights after exams end.
No special provisions can be made for early examinations. See the “Dates and Costs”
pop-up window on the OIE website brochure page for NUI-Galway. Dates can also be
found on NUI's website.
CLASSES
The final list of courses on offer in an academic year is not normally determined until the
preceding July. In practice, there is little change in the courses on offer from one year
to the next. Course descriptions are generally available on the University Web site at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/ under the relevant Faculty entries, and the Galway visiting
student handbook addresses class selection specific to visiting exchange/study abroad
students (see the ‘Classes’ tab): http://www.nuigalway.ie/student-
life/international/study-abroad-at-nuigalway.html.
The Irish system is back-loaded, which means that most assessment is by formal essay
or exam at the end of the course. Galway, as with most UK and Irish systems, works on
the lecture-based system. There is no size limit to lecture classes. The first-year
courses are very large, but the higher-level courses tend to be smaller. There may be
limits to some courses (i.e., sociology, psychology, and political science). The
philosophy and approach to education in Irish universities is different in some ways from
the U.S. system. Irish students specialize in a specific subject, rather than study a wide
range of subjects as in the U.S. university system. Irish undergraduates typically study
for three rather than four years.
15In the Irish system, a greater emphasis is placed on independent study. Very often
there is no detailed schedule or syllabus, as one would expect in the U.S. system, but
rather a reading list from which it is the student's responsibility to choose what to read.
Students are expected to read from a wide range of resources and to conduct more
independent research than they would typically for a paper or essay at Richmond.
Assessment differs according to the course. It may range from one essay with a final
exam at the end of the course to 3 essays and 2 exams. UR students may typically
enroll for any courses at Galway listed in the visiting student handbook as long as they
meet prerequisites (some limitations listed on the next page). UR exchange students
are full students and thus have access to all facilities, student unions, clubs, and sports
facilities.
Courses consist of both lectures, tutorials (seminars), and laboratory classes, where
appropriate. Lectures are generally 50 minutes in length. Lectures are larger than the
tutorials that typically have 10 - 15 students. The tutorial is the traditional strength of the
Irish University system. Participation in the tutorial is very important and can count for a
significant part of the total grade. In most classes, students prepare and present a
seminar paper.
The normal load is 5-6 courses per semester. Credits are listed in the ECTS system
(European Credit Transfer System). UR students should take no less than 24 and no
more than 30 ECTS credits per semester.
A full course load is designated as follows:
Full Year: 60 ECTS
Semester: 30 ECTS
To determine the unit value of an individual Galway course, the following
formula will be used by the UR Registrar's Office: # of ECTS credits divided
by 7 and rounded up to the nearest quarter of a unit.
Students attending Galway for a single semester only cannot take yearlong
courses (you cannot split a yearlong course in two).
100 level courses = first year courses (generally equivalent to 2nd year at UR)
200 level = second year (generally equivalent to 3rd year level courses at UR)
300 level = third year (generally equivalent to 4th year level courses at UR)
Keep the following in mind when selecting courses:
● In all Faculties, course prerequisites must be met.
● Not all Psychology courses are available to visiting students.
● In the subject Sociological and Political Studies, admission to final year seminar
courses will be limited.
● In the subject English, students may only select one seminar course per
semester and admission to seminar courses is limited.
16● In Second Year Science, a quota system applies to all subjects. Therefore, class
sizes are limited and places in subjects may not be available to visiting
students. Permission for entry into any subject in Second Year Science must
first be obtained from the Head of Department of the relevant subject. Applicants
should therefore indicate clearly on their application forms any Science Courses
they may wish to take.
As in the case of work completed at UR, students are advised to keep either hard
copies or a disk copy of all of their work for future reference and for the rare instance
when their work is misplaced.
Most departments will have an academic coordinator who assists students with any
particular problems. The Registrar's office at NUI, Galway is also available to assist
students.
REGISTRATION
Students who wish to take Irish language may do so for an extra cost--usually about 30
Euros. Richmond will reimburse students for this expense pending submission of the
original receipt. Please submit your receipt to the Office of International Education
within 60 days for reimbursement. See the reimbursement section of the OIE website
(http://international.richmond.edu/semester/finances/reimbursements/instructions.html)
for additional detail.
Students will be informed of the date, time, and venue of registration. Students must
supply one passport-type photograph at Registration, with their name and registration
number on the back.
Visiting students, as part of the orientation process, are provided with comprehensive
information on:
classes on offer
timetables
venues
examination arrangements
In addition, the departments popular with visiting students conduct advisory sessions for
the students to help with course selection.
Students are given two weeks before being required to specify their choice of courses,
and a further 'drop/add' week is then allowed. During this period course timetables may
change, so be flexible.
UR students will find the grading scale at NUI-Galway to be much different from UR.
For example, a mark of 70, which is an excellent grade, is very rarely given to students.
17The following conversion scale is used to translate Galway’s grading scale.
Galway UR Equivalent
70% or above First Class Honours A
65-69% Second Class Honours, Grade 1 A-
60-64% Second Class Honours, Grade 2 B+
55-59% B
50-54% B-
45-49% C+
40-44% C
Below 40% Fail
COMPUTING SERVICES AND E-MAIL
Further information on computing services and email is available in the left menu at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/information-solutions-services/services-for-students/.
MOBILE PHONES
The Student Union at the University will have information on student rates for mobile
phones. Mobile phones are inexpensive and students are not charged for incoming
calls. It may also be possible to buy a used mobile phone. Past participants have
recommended that you wait to buy your phone upon arrival in Ireland rather than buying
“international phones,” which tend to be more expensive. You may also purchase a new
SIM card that can be placed in your own phone, which gives you an Irish phone number
and data; the amount of data depends on which plan and carrier you choose.
WEATHER
Western Ireland's proximity to the Gulf Stream ensures that the climate is mild with
temperatures generally in the range of 32 degrees - 70 degrees F. The climate is
damp, so waterproof clothing, a warm jacket or raincoat, an umbrella, non-porous
footwear, and fleece sweaters are essential items for winter wear. These can all be
purchased in the larger chain stores in Galway.
WORK IN IRELAND
Ireland immigration regulations permit academic year students to work up to 20 hours
per week. Important: Single semester students cannot seek employment.
See this website for more information:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Other%20Types%20of%20Students
18TRAVEL INFORMATION
Galway Student Travel Centre (GSTC), the on-campus agent of the student travel
company USIT, is located in the Basement of the Library Building. Here, you can book
flights and receive information about travel in Ireland. You can purchase an ISIC card
(int’l student discount card) and/or Travelsave stamps here, for reductions on travel
costs.
Bus Service: Bus Eireann (Irish Bus): Irish Bus has a nationwide network of buses
serving all of the major Irish cities outside the Dublin area. In addition, there is an
interlink service connecting these major points to small towns or villages. Buses leave
from and arrive at Busaras (Bus Centre), which is located on Store Street in the city
centre.
Rapid Transit: DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit): Within the Dublin area, the train
service operated by Iarnrod Eireann is the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART), which
runs along the coast from Malahide or Howth in the North of Dublin to as far as
Greystones in the South. The times of the DART vary between every fifteen minutes at
rush hour to every half an hour on Sundays. The main DART stations servicing Dublin
city centre are Pearse Station, Tara Street Station, and Connolly Station. The nearest
station to UCD (if you are visiting friends studying there) is Sydney Parade - a no. 3 bus
links to Belfield.
Trains: Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail): Irish Rail operates services to all provincial cities
from two stations in Dublin; Heuston Station and Connolly Station, both of which are
located in the city centre. There are two classes, standard class (economy) and super
standard (1st class). With an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and a
Travelsave stamp, students may avail of discounts on train journeys.
Taxis: Taxis are available in all cities. The best places to get taxis are at hotels, rail or
bus stations, or at taxi ranks, which are clearly marked. Taxi metres are in operation in
Dublin and you should always check that the metre is switched on. For longer
distances, fares may be negotiated in advance. If a taxi is ordered, there may be a
pick-up charge. Usually a small tip is given to the taxi driver. Cabs are also available;
these cars are not marked and cab drivers are not permitted to use the taxi ranks.
Instead there are cab offices from which a car can be hired.
Cars: We do not recommend that students buy or rent cars to drive in Ireland. Cars
are driven on the left-hand side of the road and there are many narrow streets and
different “rules of the road,” which may make it dangerous. It is illegal to drive a car in
Ireland if it is not correctly taxed and insured.
Note on Personal Travel: Be aware that the cost of personal travel and entertainment
is the greatest discretionary expense for students on study abroad. You should make
19deliberate decisions about where and how you will travel in your free time. Many
students succumb to peer pressure and make a lot of short, impromptu and superficial
trips while on study abroad. (“Come on, you have to hit Prague with us this weekend!”).
People often come home saying they have been to 10 new countries, but have not
really learned anything about any of them, and have incurred thousands of dollars in
debt. OIE suggests that you take just a couple of well thought out, longer trips during
your semester abroad…you will learn more and spend less.
SUGGESTED READING
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce
Culture Shock!: Ireland, Patricia M. Levy
Have an excellent adventure!!
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